Extraordinary Women

"Extraordinary Women" is a sophisticated and witty satire that explores the social dynamics and romantic entanglements of a group of expatriate women on the fictional Mediterranean island of Sirene. Written as a playful counterpoint to the more somber depictions of lesbian life in early 20th-century literature, this novel offers a lighthearted and comedic look at the rivalries, passions, and eccentricities of a vibrant bohemian community.

The story follows the charming and fickle Rosalba Donsante as she navigates a whirlwind of infatuations, surrounded by a diverse cast of artists, intellectuals, and socialites. Compton Mackenzie employs a sharp eye for detail and a gift for caricature to capture the essence of this sun-drenched expatriate society. Through its clever dialogue and observational brilliance, the work parodies the intense emotional dramas and social posturing of its characters with both humor and grace.

As a significant work in the history of LGBTQ+ fiction, "Extraordinary Women" remains a celebrated piece of social comedy. It provides a rare, spirited glimpse into a historic subculture, blending literary merit with a timeless exploration of human vanity and affection. The novel stands as a testament to Mackenzie's ability to approach provocative themes with intelligence and entertaining levity.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.